(L to R) 2017 Ron Jon Vans Pro Junior Finalists -- Tommy Coleman, John Mel, Ryland Rubens, and Luke Gordon lead the forefront of this season. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
With last year's No. 4 Che Allan and No. 5 Tyler Gunter bowing out in Rounds One and Two of the Ron Jon Vans Pro Junior Men's event, a new batch of surfers had their opportunity to make a big breakthrough. None moreso than event winner Ryland Rubens -- earning his first-ever Pro Junior win and a jump from last year's No. 11 finish to now sitting at No. 1.
After 2016 yielded no more than a Semifinal result for the Sand Diego-native, Rubens now sits at the No. 1 spot to start of the season. It's still a long season ahead for the Pro Juniors, but a win in the five-event schedule provides a huge kickstart to a Top 4 spot at season's end toward the coveted World Junior Championships.
Rubens' first-ever chair-up the beach -- not a bad way to start a new season. - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Rubens spent some time in Australia to get an early start, along with some of his fellow North American competitors, and it seems to have paid dividends.
Ryland Rubens - WSL / John W. Ferguson
This year's Ron Jon Vans Pro also introduced us to the new threat of Floridian Tommy Coleman. The 14-year-old, Vero Beach, Florida surfer claimed some serious scalps on his way to the Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Semifinals -- including Noah Schweizer and nearly eventual winner Evan Geiselman. Coleman also made a charge in the Pro Junior that earned him a Finals appearance and a major bleep on our radar.
Tommy Coleman - WSL / John W. Ferguson
While Coleman has been around the surfing scene for some time now, this was his first big push toward a keeper result on the QS and Pro Junior Tour. As a young up-and-comer, Coleman doesn't quite plan to chase either tour just yet, but does has ambitions to begin his competitive drive this year.
Luke Gordon - WSL / Andrew Nichols
Luke Gordon joins Rubens on the opposite side of the age spectrum and enters his last year as a Pro Junior before the age limit cutoff. The South Carolina-native only made it as far as a xx result in his junior career (has made a Final before, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity). But, this year Gordon means business and has put his name in the hat for wanting a chance at the World Junior Championships.
Gordon's last-ditch efforts of a 5.40 on his last wave earned him a spot into the Final over Barbadian talent Zander Venezia and now kicks off the 2017 season with 560 points.
John Mel - WSL / John W. Ferguson
John Mel earned his second consecutive Final at the Ron Jon Vans Pro and showed he's still a threat entering his last year as a Junior. Though he couldn't take advantage of last year's 560 points and build upon them to earn three more keeper results for a Top 4 spot, Mel's 7.07 in the dying minutes of his Semifinal proved he's prepared for all scenarios.
The Final provided little opportunity for surfers after Ruben's explosive start and left the other three competitors groveling in tough conditions, something that doesn't play into the near 6'0 tall junior's favor. However, should the waves turn on at any event, Mel is a certified threat and he showed that even with the smaller conditions on hand this last week.
But, last year's standouts Allan and Gunter will have a chance to spoil these surfer's party June 6 - 11 at the Los Cabos Open of Surf in Baja Sur California, Mexico.
North America Junior Men's Season Begins, New Threats Breakthrough
Andrew Nichols
With last year's No. 4 Che Allan and No. 5 Tyler Gunter bowing out in Rounds One and Two of the Ron Jon Vans Pro Junior Men's event, a new batch of surfers had their opportunity to make a big breakthrough. None moreso than event winner Ryland Rubens -- earning his first-ever Pro Junior win and a jump from last year's No. 11 finish to now sitting at No. 1.
After 2016 yielded no more than a Semifinal result for the Sand Diego-native, Rubens now sits at the No. 1 spot to start of the season. It's still a long season ahead for the Pro Juniors, but a win in the five-event schedule provides a huge kickstart to a Top 4 spot at season's end toward the coveted World Junior Championships.
Rubens spent some time in Australia to get an early start, along with some of his fellow North American competitors, and it seems to have paid dividends.
This year's Ron Jon Vans Pro also introduced us to the new threat of Floridian Tommy Coleman. The 14-year-old, Vero Beach, Florida surfer claimed some serious scalps on his way to the Men's Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Semifinals -- including Noah Schweizer and nearly eventual winner Evan Geiselman. Coleman also made a charge in the Pro Junior that earned him a Finals appearance and a major bleep on our radar.
While Coleman has been around the surfing scene for some time now, this was his first big push toward a keeper result on the QS and Pro Junior Tour. As a young up-and-comer, Coleman doesn't quite plan to chase either tour just yet, but does has ambitions to begin his competitive drive this year.
Luke Gordon joins Rubens on the opposite side of the age spectrum and enters his last year as a Pro Junior before the age limit cutoff. The South Carolina-native only made it as far as a xx result in his junior career (has made a Final before, but failed to capitalize on the opportunity). But, this year Gordon means business and has put his name in the hat for wanting a chance at the World Junior Championships.
Gordon's last-ditch efforts of a 5.40 on his last wave earned him a spot into the Final over Barbadian talent Zander Venezia and now kicks off the 2017 season with 560 points.
John Mel earned his second consecutive Final at the Ron Jon Vans Pro and showed he's still a threat entering his last year as a Junior. Though he couldn't take advantage of last year's 560 points and build upon them to earn three more keeper results for a Top 4 spot, Mel's 7.07 in the dying minutes of his Semifinal proved he's prepared for all scenarios.
The Final provided little opportunity for surfers after Ruben's explosive start and left the other three competitors groveling in tough conditions, something that doesn't play into the near 6'0 tall junior's favor. However, should the waves turn on at any event, Mel is a certified threat and he showed that even with the smaller conditions on hand this last week.
But, last year's standouts Allan and Gunter will have a chance to spoil these surfer's party June 6 - 11 at the Los Cabos Open of Surf in Baja Sur California, Mexico.
Tommy Coleman
Longstanding Beach N' Boards Fest plays host to WSL for over a decade, Florida's own Benedetto prepares for double task, plus 2022 Pro
The now 21-year-old Floridian Tommy Coleman earned his maiden WSL victory at Cocoa Beach last year and now prepares to strike at the QS.
The WRV Outer Banks Pro pres. by Pacifico received another push of swell with men and women delivering big performances.
Alan Cleland and Tommy Coleman remain to battle for the No. 3 spot on the North America rankings at the Live Like Zander Junior Pro.
The Live Like Zander Junior Pro and Thomo QS 1,000 are locked and loaded for a big finish in Barbados.
Ron Jon Vans Junior Pro
Men's QS1,000 blitz through Round Three as Junior Men determine Quarterfinal draws.
The Ron Jon Vans Pro Junior Men and Women's event got underway to begin the 2017 North America season.
The 2017 edition returns with men's Qualifying Series (QS) and both men and women's Pro Junior events.
Last year's Ron Jon Vans Pro and Pro Junior was a special event for three competitors who all claimed their first-ever WSL wins.